A VoluntaryShapeshifter is never without a weapon, because they ''are'' a weapon. When nothing else is within reach, they can form their body or ArtificialLimbs into [[WolverineClaws claws]], [[BladeBelowTheShoulder blades]], [[CoolGuns guns]], [[DropTheHammer hammers]]... their arsenal is limited only by their [[GreenLanternRing imagination]]! (And possibly the story's [[MagicAIsMagicA internal logic]].) Others who are "limited" to only one alternate shape will use a PartialTransformation to unsheathe their claws (or [[CombatTentacles tentacles!]]) while still in human form.

Some Shapeshifters use this as their primary WeaponOfChoice, while others favor conventional weapons and only [[IAmNotLeftHanded reveal this power after being otherwise disarmed]].

Part of what makes the ShapeShifterShowdown so spectacular. Compare with the MorphWeapon, which has similar powers but isn't part of the wielder's body, and RetractableWeapon. Not to be confused with the [[CalvinAndHobbes Transmogrifier]] [[TransformationRay gun]]. See EquippableAlly for when they still need a little help from an ally to take advantage of this.

----!!Examples

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[[folder:Anime & Manga]]* ''NaruTaru'' had a weird arms-out-the-back {{mons}} that kept growing gatling guns.* Edward Elric in ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'' frequently uses his abilities to turn his [[ArtificialLimbs prosthetic arm]] into a sword.** Greed can make his skin hard as diamond and uses this for defense and offense in battle.** Lust possess the Ultimate Spear, meaning she can make her fingers [[CaptainObvious long and pointy...like spears.]]** [[http://imageshack.us/a/img854/9449/fatherhandgun1234.png Father once formed his hand into a gun]]... [[IncrediblyLamePun A handgun, so to speak]]** Envy can turn into literally ''anything''. During a fight with Ling Yao, he turns his limbs into a sword and a ''snake''.*** In [[Anime/FullmetalAlchemist the 2003 anime version]], Envy turns his arm into a black spike near the end. At another time, he copies Ed's arm and the sword trick.*** Wrath in the 2003 animé had the ability to transmute ''his own body''.* Naraku from ''Manga/InuYasha'' spontaneusly sprouts CombatTentacles whenever he needs them, or morphs his hands into those to impale his enemies.* Elder Toguro of ''YuYuHakusho'' loves turning his body parts into pointy things to stab people with.* Eve from ''Manga/BlackCat'' turns her limbs and hair into weapons, usually blades. Same for her {{Expy}} Yami-chan from ''ToLoveRu''.* Chachamaru in ''MahouSenseiNegima'' can transform her forearms into blades or even guns. Judging from his ability to mimic other people exactly, Albireo can likely use his pactio item on his larynx. Evangeline also enjoys a good shape-shift here and there (claws are her favorite).* A subtrope is when someone bleeds themselves, and then morphs the blood into weapons. Seen in ''Flame of Recca'' and Manga/BlackCat. See BloodyMurder.* There was an episode of ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' involving a Ditto that eventually turned into a cannon for a FastballSpecial. Now if it could only turn into an actual cannon in the games...* The [[NightOfTheLivingMooks Mariages]] from ''StrikerSSoundStageX'' of the ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'' franchise do battle by converting their arms into weapons such as swords, lances, or [[ArmCannon artillery]].* ''Manga/SoulEater'' has a few [[EquippableAlly shapeshifters]] able to transform parts of their bodies, but most have to change completely to be much use. Death Scythes can alter their weapon forms, which lets them make several of the same weapon part sprout from their body at once, making it a lot easier for them to fight solo this way.** Crona has the ability to use Ragnarok the Demon Sword. Although Ragnarok has its own soul and own personality, he was melted down and fused with Crona's blood, effectively meaning that it is a part of Crona.* Nube's Oni Hand in ''Manga/HellTeacherNube''. He has to be careful when doing this, though, lest the hand overpower him and consume his entire body.* On ''Anime/BloodPlus'', Solomon often uses his chevalier powers to turn his right hand into a sword blade.* Eve Neuschwanstein from {{Needless}} is a shapeshifter and likes to change costumes along with her arms into weapons.* [[{{Miko}} Arashi Kishuu]], from ''Manga/{{X1999}}'', can draw a sword out of her hand whenever she needs it. There's also [[GenkiGirl Yuzariha's]] dog/[[HisDarkMaterials daemon]] Innuki, who can transform into a sword at will--and that's not even getting into the women who give birth to the holy swords... this series [[CoolSword likes its swords]].* The titular characters of ''KarakuridoujiUltimo''.* Alissa Southerncross from ''KeroroGunsou'' fights aliens with the help of her shape-shifting "daddy", Nebula.* The titular Manga/{{Parasyte}}s - human cuisinarts who can strike ''faster than the eye can see''.* Kanade from ''Anime/AngelBeats'' had the abilities to change her [[BladeBelowTheShoulder arm]] into four different types of weapons.* Gajeel from ''Manga/FairyTail'' can change his limbs into a club, a spear or a sword. And a chainsaw.* Gavrill from ''FrankenFran'' can shapeshift her body partly or entirely into, among other things, deadly weapons. She mostly uses it to off people who are much weaker than her. When faced with either a lot of opponents or just one large one, she prefers to transform into a huge wolf-like creature and let out a real bloodbath.* Most monstrels in ''Manga/RosarioToVampire'' experience this, including second-in-command [[ScytheOfDoom Kirya Yoshi]]. Others get to HulkOut.* Baby 5 from ''Manga/OnePiece'' has a [[SuperpowerLottery devil fruit]] which allows her to transform parts of, or the entirety, of her body into any weapon she wants.** On a similar note there is the previous Mr. 1, Daz Bones, whose body is essentially made of steel, and can turn whatever part of it he wants into a blade. His partner from Baroque Works, Miss Doublefinger/Paula, can turn her body into spikes.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Comic Books]]* The MarvelUniverse has several:** ComicBook/XMen villain ComicBook/{{Apocalypse}} can make anything from {{Battering Ram}}s and saw blades to EnergyWeapons from his arms, which are part of his highly advanced Celestial PoweredArmor.** The X-Men's own Random can also turn his arms into guns. Like, [[{{BFG}} really huge ones]]. It's pretty weird-looking when he does it.** Also in X-Men, Cessily Kincaid, Mercury III, forms blades, maces, and hammers among other things. At least once, she's also done a variant where she's acted as armor for another character.** The villain Bushwhacker can turn his right arm into a gun. He has to swallow bullets to load it, though. It's pretty weird, too.** The Fury is a Borg-style adaptive robot who can turn his arms into weapons. He was so effective that, in his home universe, he killed everyone on Earth, including all the superheroes.** The ComicBook/FantasticFour's Mr. Fantastic.** Sandman, from Franchise/SpiderMan's rogues gallery. Particularly fond of sand-hammers. Also Carnage, who is quite fond of [[AnAxeToGrind axes]].** The Skrulls have been known to do this on occasion. They favor battering-rams.*** Hulkling from the YoungAvengers, who is half-Kree and half-Skrull. He often gives himself armor, claws, and wings.** Comicbook/GhostRider2099's left hand was a "morphable nanomer alloy" with "monomolecular" edges, capable of shredding pretty much anything it came into contact with when he shifted it into battle mode.** Mystique can do this with some effort, but usually doesn't because she still has organs and needs to remember where they are. Instead, for example, she'll shift most of the muscles of her upper body into her right arm just as she delivers a punch, thereby increasing its power. She's also been known to hide guns ''inside herself''. At one point she even gave herself two heads and four arms to fight on two fronts at once.** ComicBook/{{Carnage}} (and to a lesser degree, the other symbiotes) is a perfect example, as he's famous for morphing his body into weapons, especially axes and other blades.*** While Carnage and his ilk are seen most often using symbiote-weapons, ComicBook/{{Venom}} has been using one since it first bonded to Spider-Man: the web shooting. This ability is mostly limited by imagination; What-If and crossovers have shown other options, such as the Punisher getting the Venom symbiote and making ''guns'' with bullets of symbiote-stuff. Of course he also had a tremendous appetite, [[RequiredSecondaryPowers since the ammo had to come from SOMEwhere]]...* Franchise/TheDCU has a few as well:** Guy Gardner, when he was Warrior. A bit of a step down from a GreenLanternRing (''especially'' since he had the yellow ring before).** The Engineer from ''ComicBook/TheAuthority''.** Warblade of Wild[=CATS=].** Franchise/{{Batman}} villain Clayface.** ComicBook/PlasticMan uses his stretching power for shapeshifting more often than not, though he only ''rarely'' turns his limbs into weapons or anything like that. He's too creative. When Plas does make weapons, they're usually unconventional. In his famous battle against Fernus, he made his body into several hilarious weapons like sharks and cymbal monkeys. The kicker is that he transformed into these things all at the same time.** MartianManhunter occasionally does this, as do his White Martian rivals. In fact, Manhunter is most likely to do this when fighting White Martians.** ComicBook/{{Metamorpho}} does this as well.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Film]]* The liquid-metal T-1000 from ''Terminator2JudgmentDay'' could turn its arms into blades -- handy for killing people when it was imitating someone who wouldn't be carrying a firearm.-->'''T-800:''' Guns and explosives have chemicals, moving parts. It doesn't work that way. But it can form solid metal shapes.-->'''John:''' Like what?-->'''T-800:''' Knives and stabbing weapons.* John Carpenter's ''Film/TheThing1982'' could spontaneously grow teeth, claws, arms, mouths, etc. anywhere on its body.* In the climactic battle on ''Film/WhoFramedRogerRabbit'', [[spoiler: Judge Doom, who is a toon in disguise,]] turns his hand first into an anvil and then a buzzsaw to attack Eddie Valiant.* ''Film/XMen'': ** Mystique did this in ''Film/XMen1'' with Wolverine's claws (which failed miserably against the real ones).** In ''Film/XMenDaysOfFuturePast'', the Future Sentinel’s arms can become blades to impale their targets. WolverineClaws are also shown in one instance, and the first ones shown are able to turn into drills to penetrate a bunker.* ''Film/{{Transformers}}'': Pretty much every weapon used by the titular species is formed from their limbs (except, for some reason, Optimus's gun). Other exceptions include [[FanNickname Brawlvastator's]] over-shoulder missile launchers (his tank [[KibblesAndBits kibble]]) and Blackout's ChestBlaster.* The [[EldritchAbomination Harvesters]] in ''Film/TheDeathsOfIanStone'' use a BladeBelowTheShoulder version of this [[DualWielding with both arms]]. Antagonists go full-on OneWingedAngel, but [[spoiler:[[TomatoInTheMirror our hero]]]] shifts noticeably less than them, and eventually gains the ability to take advantage of this trope [[PartialTransformation while remaining otherwise normal]].* Limb removed? The "engineers" in ''Film/TokyoGorePolice'' grow a chainsaw or some other weapon out of there.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Literature]]* Visser Three does this in at least one ''Literature/{{Animorphs}}'' book, "The Reaction". His Levtin Javelin Fish morph throws spears at the fleeing Animorphs until someone punches a hole in it.** When Crayak enhanced Rachel's powers beyond her wildest dreams in ''The Return'', her morphing powers certainly extend this far. She only has this level of power for a few minutes, and she's shown to be capable of growing Wolverine-like claws and turning into a BlobMonster of deadly acid.* In ''Literature/QuantumGravity'', Lila Black is implied to be capable of this from book four onwards. In fact, book five heavily implies that she could turn her body parts into anything.* In the last book of ''Literature/TheImmortals'' the final battle between Ozorne and Daine has the latter shifting various parts of her body into different animals to fight as effectively as possible. [[/folder]]

[[folder:Live-Action TV]]* ''Series/StargateSG1'': [=RepliCarter=] has the same bladed arm as the T-1000 as a homage to ''[[Franchise/{{Terminator}} Terminator 2]]''.* Odo from ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'': his shapeshifting powers are his main tool in keeping the peace.* Auton Mickey, in the ''Series/DoctorWho'' episode "Rose," morphs his hands into, well, crude clubs. The other Autons get more prep time, and create much more effective weapons.* All the Final Form Rides in ''Series/KamenRiderDecade'' are Shapeshifter Weapons, with the exception of Den-O Momotaros and Double. The list includes independent creatures (Kuuga Gouram, Ryuki Dragreder, Hibiki Akanetaka, Zecter Kabuto) vehicles (Agito Tornader), and weapons (Faiz Blaster, Blade Blade, Kiva Arrow).* In the climatic battle of Season 4, ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' has an OhCrap moment when demonic cyborg Adam morphs his hand into a gatling gun and grenade launcher.-->'''Adam:''' I've been upgrading.* Weaver, the liquid metal Terminator in ''Series/TheSarahConnorChronicles'', follows her ''Terminator II'' predecessor by liking to turn her arm into a sword/spear.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Tabletop Games]]* Obliterators in ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}''. These are genetically-engineered supermen who've caught a daemonic contagion that fuses them to their armour and gives them the ability to form a wide variety of guns from their bodies -- up to and including giant laser and plasma cannons. Iron Warriors are particularly prone to catching this Obliterator Virus, even those who are not armoured SpaceMarines.* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons''** The "Body Weaponry" psionic power introduced back from ''Eldritch Wizardy''.** 3.5 ed. has a Prestige Class, the Warshaper, basically devoted to this, allowing a character to use his extant shapechanging ability (gained from another class or racial feature) to give himself natural weapons and SuperStrength, along with a few other perks.** ''TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms'' has Malaugrim -- extraplanar villains trying to return to their old world, whose weapons of choice are spiky tentacles and suchlike. They also use these for surprise attacks after infiltrating in more innocent forms and growing a weapon when no-one looks.** The Keepers, creepy [[TheMenInBlack Men in Black]] with malleable bodies, such that they can reshape their hands into clubs or knives.%% does anyone remember where the above came from? Planescape?* ''{{GURPS}}: Magic'' has a whole set of spells called Partial Shapeshifting that allow the caster to transform body parts into enhanced versions of animal ones.* ''{{Exalted}}'' has several of these, but the two primary examples would be the Lunars and Alchemicals. The former does it spiritually and organically, while the latter does it technologically; the former is more flexible, but the latter can grow actual weapons up to and including magi-tech artillery pieces.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Video Games]]* Huitzil in ''VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}}'' has the rather unexplained ability to transform his arms and legs into various weapons and tools in combat. Also Rikuo, Lord Raptor, and Q-Bee, for reasons equally unexplained. [[VideoGame/MegaManLegends Tron Bonne]] in ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom2'' has the same ability.* The MMO ''VideoGame/WarhammerOnline'' features a Chaos class called the Marauder, who can turn his arms into giant blades, maces, and claws. Too bad they removed the female version, which would had have so much FetishFuel (let's see: an evil, muscular woman that can turn her arm into stuff)** The official explaination for male-only marauders is that they wanted them all to be bare-chested. Yes, ''all'' of them. But they wanted to avoid an explicit Mature rating; same reason Slaaneshi daemons (notoriously naked) are in short supply and covered up more-than-usual.* Emeralda of ''VideoGame/{{Xenogears}}''. Her attacks include turning her legs into a drill, turning her arms into [[PrecisionGuidedBoomerang boomerangs]], turning her body into a [[DropTheHammer hammer]], and splitting herself into several thin discs to slice her opponent with. And most unusual of all, transforming herself into an ''energy beam''.* ''MortalKombat'' features Jax, who has a fatality that involves changing his cybernetic arms to blades and chopping up his foe.* Alex Mercer, protagonist of ''VideoGame/{{Prototype}}'', is a good example. Whips, blades, claws, spikes that shoot up from the ground, tentacles, all this and more! Plus he can fly and [[ImAHumanitarian ''eat'' people]]! The same goes for [[VideoGame/{{Prototype 2}} James Heller]].* Algol, the final boss of ''[[Series/SoulSeries Soulcalibur IV]]'' fights merged with Soul Edge and Soul Calibur, and can manifest blades or shields (or {{Arm Cannon}}s) from both at will.* While Axl of ''VideoGame/MegaManX'' doesn't literally change his limbs to turn into weapons, the same process and visual effects he uses to shapeshift is also used to create his arsenal of firearms, including his default Axl Bullets, which have the same color scheme as he does.** The visual effects also suggest that he can use his own mass to create weapons like [[spoiler:Red's deathscythe.]]* VideoGame/{{Vectorman}}'s whole "orbot" schtick involved transforming his whole body into jets and drills and such.* Haudrale of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXI'' doesn't quite achieve transformation per se, but extruding a sword from the palm of his hand [[spoiler: and then probably killing your entire party with it]] probably counts.* Twelve of ''VideoGame/StreetFighterIII'' fights primarily using this tactic.* Traitor, Taiga's weapon in ''VideoGame/DuelSaviorDestiny'', has the ability to change its shape to that of numerous other weapons. Taiga's not really sure how it works, but he can turn what is normally a short sword into a longsword, a two handed axe, bombs, a hammer, a three sectioned staff, a trident and a power fist.* Transmuters in ''VideoGame/DungeonCrawl'' have at least two spells that do this. Beastly Appendage makes any thing from ''CombatTentacles'' to hooves for feats. Blade hands gives you [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin blades for hands]]. * In ''VideoGame/{{Battletoads}}'', all three of the main characters can morph their bodies in various ways, with unique weapons, for special strikes and finishing moves. Common versions include inflating an arm or a foot to deliver a super-strong punch/kick and sprouting giant ram horns when delivering a headbutt.* ''VideoGame/{{Evolva}}'': All of the weapons you can get. The genohunters' limbs (sometimes the neck or the back) transform each time you select a weapon, as you shoot at the enemies using the transformed limb.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Comics]]* Ysengrin from ''Webcomic/GunnerkriggCourt'' can crush robots with his tree-arms, and turn his arms into blades. Also Reynardine has a habit of doing similar things with the lockpicks [[SnoopingLittleKid Annie was storing in the doll]] which he possessed.* The [[ExactlyWhatItSaySOnTheTin Goblin Slayer]] from ''Webcomic/{{Goblins}}'' is basically a tree-cyborg, and is in the habit of growing blades, bows, and arrows from his tree-arm.* ''SaturdayMorningBreakfastCereal'': According to creationist horror films, [[http://www.smbc-comics.com/index.php?db=comics&id=1695#comic this is how evolution works]].* Averted with the shapeshifters in ''ButImACatPerson'', who fight mostly with energy attacks and the natural weapons of their standard forms (fists, claws, etcetera). When [[spoiler: Patrick [[http://erinptah.com/catperson/comic/chapter-five-page-25/ used his arm as a club]] that one time]], it stayed in its usual shape and was damaged accordingly.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Western Animation]]* Diamondhead from ''WesternAnimation/{{Ben 10}}'' can turn his arm into a pointy crystal. The {{nanomachine}} [[BlobMonster blob]] Upgrade from the original series and the green-slime blob Goop from ''WesternAnimation/Ben10AlienForce'' have been seen molding their fists into various weapons as well.** [[PunnyName Kevin E. Levin,]] [[spoiler:after another Omnitrix-induced mega-mutation,]] is capable of turning his limbs into weapons, a la ComicBook/{{Metamorpho}}.** In ''Ben10Omniverse'', new alien Bloxx is also capable of this.* The animated version of the ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'' character Plasmus is basically the poor man's Clayface. He eventually gains the power to spew acid sludge as well.** Madam Rouge, a member of the QuirkyMinibossSquad in the final season, also uses this- her powers are a combination [[RubberMan rubber woman]] and more general VoluntaryShapeshifting, so doing things like turning her fingers into talons or elongating her whole body like a snake to strangle enemies are well-documented techniques.* In ''StaticShock'', there is a recurring minor minion named Shiv, who can turn his arms into almost anything he can imagine, almost like a GreenLantern (but without the need for a ring.) As per his name, he prefers sharp things.* GeneratorRex can do this, as he's full of {{nanomachines}}.** [[spoiler: Black Knight]] turns out to be a [[IAmNotLeftHanded left-handed]] example, as well as Rex's EvilCounterpart.* Yaksha from ''{{Hero 108}}''.* Jake of ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'' has incredible control over the size and density of every part of him, and utilises this to a great extent. At least once he even uses his ''jowls'' to beat on an unsuspecting foe (because seriously, who expects jowls to be used as a weapon?).* In ''JusticeLeagueUnlimited'' several characters use this, including Martian Manhunter, Clayface, and Metamorpho* Miss Martian from ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'', though she doesn't use them as often as her psychic powers.* Replicon from ''WesternAnimation/SkysurferStrikeForce'' is more like shapeshifting weapon, using guns, missile launchers and melee weapons from his own body.[[/folder]]